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Opening

Materials for Activity

A telephone of some sort, preferably a cell phone that you can cause to ring

Chalice and matches

Optional: Newsprint, markers and tape

Optional: Recording of "Amazing Grace" and music player

Optional: Nametags and markers

Optional: Decorative cloth for Conundrum Corner

Preparation for Activity

Place the telephone on display in the Conundrum Corner.

Optional: Decide if you will continue to play "Amazing Grace" at Opening and Closing. Feel free to take a break if you feel the routine is getting old. You could also vary the practice by playing different versions of the song. If you decide to continue, have your recording ready to play.

Optional: Write chalice-lighting words on newsprint, and post.

Optional: Prepare and post an agenda of the day's activities.

Description of Activity

As participants enter, greet them. If you have newcomers, greet them warmly and be sure they know others in the room. Give them nametags if others have them. Ask newcomers and old timers alike to look at the Conundrum Corner, but do not say anything more about it. In answer to any questions about it, say you will be talking about it later.

If you are playing "Amazing Grace," stop the music, or reduce the volume to a very low background level.

Lead the group in the day's opening rituals-a chalice lighting, a moment of focusing silence, and a moment of sharing.

Light the chalice, or let a youth do so, and speak these words (asking the group to join you if you have posted them):

May this light shine today on the history of Universalism.

Ask the group to be silent for a moment as they reflect on the opening words and settle in for the session. End the silence by saying, "blessed be," or other appropriate words.

Ask the youth to raise a hand if they have ever been in such a dangerous situation that somebody else had to save them. Accept a few stories about such incidents, but ask responders to keep them brief.

Extinguish the chalice without ceremony and move the chalice table aside as necessary to allow movement in the room.